January/February 1999

CubanismoReencarnacionHannibal

Cubanismo's third release has pianist Ignacio Herrera in place of Alfredo Rodr guez. Herrera is capable enough but I miss the intense, angular originality of Rodr guez's solos. The eleven tunes include a mambo, a guajira, a guaracha, a pil n, two descargas, and several sones. The guajira "Mimi" has a seductive muted trumpet opening. The best number, the descarga "En las Delicias," features a trombone solo by Carlos Alvares, a flute solo by Orlando Valle, and a conga solo by veteran Tata Gu nes. Valle is also impressive on "El Paso de Encarnaci n." While it's hard to compete with Gu nes, conguero Tomßs Ramos Ortiz asserts himself handily on "Jamming in Nijmegen." The vocals on three tunes are by Rolo Martinez, at one time vocalist with legendary trumpeter Felix Chappott n. All the trumpet solos are by Cubanismo's leader, Jesus Alemany.

Reencarnacion, though not as electrifying as Cubanismo's debut release, is better than last year's "Malembe," and should please devotees of Afro-Cuban music.